The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-13
SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY.
a Few Comments On the Normal or Nat
ural Limit of Human Life.


ural Limit of Human Life.
have before me the records of no
less than fifty-two centenarians. the de-
tails IN regard to whom have been col
iected by committee of the British
Medical Association. OF the fifty-two
no fewer than thirty-six (more than
two-thirds) are women. This may
probably be attributed in large part to
the comparative immunity that women
enjoy from many risks to which men
are exposed. but probably it is due not
less to their greater temperance and to
their freedom from the anxieties and
heartbnrnings which attend mems
! struggles for influence and even for
| maintenance. Medical men contend,
however, that women also possess
greater inherent vitality than men, the
mortality of girls being less than that
Of boys, even during the first year of
life, when the female is neither more
temperate nor less ambitious than the
male, and is exposed to as many
dangers.
OF the 16 men only one was single; 10
! of the 36 women were single; 10 men
and 26 women, then, among the CEN
tenarians were married; but. naturally
enough. of these fl a large number, all,
i'll fact, but 5, were widowed. Three of
the % were rich, 19 poor, the rest in
comfortable circumstances; 9 were fat
(only one man). % lean. Is medium;
only were full-blOOded; the rest aver
age orpaie. Forty had good digestion,
which after 101 years means a good
deal. Most of the 80 have had good ap-
petites, only two having appetites
classed as actually bad; most ot them
have been through life moderate eaters;
y. however, have eaten large quantities
of food. Only one is returned as large
eater of flesh food, and only one as a
great consumer of alcoholic liquors Gn
his case the liquor preferred has been
beer). Only eight of all the number are
classified as simply irritable" but to
| these must be added ) classed as cir
ritable and energetic" As to smoking.
81 are Bon-smokers, II smoke much G.
of them being women), 3 moderately.
and 2 little; only chews; 81 avoid
snuff.
When VIC take number of cases
such as these in all classes of life, un-
der many varied circumstances, and
not characterized by any special course
directed toward the attainment of mere
longevity (Which might possibly be
gained without real advantage, all that
makes life worth living being sacrificed
for life's sake), most men not affected
by specific disease, constitutional or IN
herited, may hope to attain an age con-
siderably exceeding three score years
and ten, OF even four-score years. 1t
would appear, in fact. as though five
score years were the natural or normal
limit of human life, and that when men
die many years before that age is at
tanned the fault, apart from malignant
disease or accident, has lain with them
selves. Underlying the old proverb,
Every man is fool or a physician at
forty" thereis the important truth that
it is in every mans power. if he is wise,
TO recognize early in life, like COrnaro,
the requirements of his own constitu-
ton. and the means by which all such
stores of vitality as it may possess may
be utilized .-Richard H. Proctor, in
COSnlOpOtttdn.